Background Jordan hosts more Palestinian refugees than any country in the world. Conditions under which people in a community live influence their health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Purpose The purpose of this descriptive comparative cross-sectional study was to compare HRQOL of Palestinian refugees in Jordan who live inside camps with those who live outside camps. Methods Participants, recruited from inside the Baqa'a camp (n = 86) and the surrounding Abu Nsair community (n = 91), completed the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief questionnaire. Findings There were disparities in education and social relations and environment HRQOL related to income and residency, but not gender, among refugees. Conclusion Refugees living inside camps, particularly if poorer, fared worse than refugees living outside camps. Enhanced programs and policies may be needed to improve HRQOL, education, and socioeconomics for camp refugees. Nursing's perspective on refugee health could make an important contribution to humanitarian efforts and health diplomacy. © 2017 Elsevier Inc.

Health-related quality of life Palestinian Jordan camp Refugee

refugee Jordan human Refugees middle aged comparative study Aged Arab Arabs Cross-Sectional Studies quality of life Surveys and Questionnaires cross-sectional study Humans psychology male female Aged, 80 and over Socioeconomic Factors very elderly socioeconomics questionnaire adult